This weekend I will be at the Mid-Year SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) conference.  This is my first writer’s conference and I am giddy with excitement!

When I first joined SCBWI, I was amazed at how friendly everyone was and how willing they were to offer helpful advice to a newbie.  I met most of them on various message boards and social networking sites and I can’t wait to meet them all in person.

I’m also really looking forward to be surrounded by dozens of talented authors and illustrators, as well as some incredible agents and editors from various publishing houses and literary agencies.

I don’t have any unrealistically high expectations for the weekend (like coming home with a book contract, though it does happen to a lucky few), except to learn as much as I can from the experts in my field and to have a great time with fellow writers.  You know, other people who re-write sticky notes until the message is grammatically correct.

Here’s a couple of conference tips:

• Bring plenty of business cards
• Be ready to take lots of notes
• Have a one-sheet prepared
• Practice your pitch
• Research the people who will be speaking at your event

Literary agent, Rachelle Gardner, has some great conference advice here on her blog as well.

I can’t wait to come back and tell you all about it!  Do you have any conference plans this summer?